Dealing with heel pain? There are shoes for that.

Whether you are going to work, going out for a night on the town or going for a run, it’s important that you are wearing the appropriate shoes for the job. If you’re also dealing with heel spurs, it’s even more important that you find the right shoes for your feet. Our Indianapolis and Carmel, IN, podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Agricola and the team at Prestige Podiatry can help make shopping for shoes with heel spurs a little easier.

What is a heel spur?

Heel spurs are similar to other common foot problems such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis, which also cause heel pain. Heel spurs, just like any of these other issues, can also make certain activities harder to do. This abnormal growth of bone often develops on the bottom of the heel. While some people may have heel spurs and not even know it, many individuals with undiagnosed heel spurs turn to our Indianapolis and Carmel, IN, team because they don’t know why they are pain.

How do I find the right shoes?

So, now that we’ve determined that you have a heel spur, it’s important to find the proper footwear. After all, heel spurs often develop as a result of overuse, and wearing poorly fitted shoes can also increase your risk for heel spurs, so it’s important that you find the right shoes. Here are some helpful tips,

Cushion is Key

Look for shoes with a cushy heel that will provide a lot of support. Of course, you also don’t want to forget arch support, which can support the proper alignment of your feet. This will also take pressure off the heels and make sure the whole foot takes impact when walking or running.

Add a Heel Cup 

Talk with our Indianapolis and Carmel, IN, podiatrist about whether a heel cup may improve your heel spur symptoms. When placed in your shoes, this orthotic can prevent the heel from striking the ground, which can also alleviate the discomfort or pain you may feel with heel spurs, particularly during activity.

Look for a Firm Rearfoot and Flexible Forefoot 

The back of your shoe should be firm so it doesn’t bend too much when moving around. If the back part is too flexible this can put more strain on the heel. On the other hand, a flexible forefoot (the front part of the shoe) is important because this added bend around the toes helps move you forward more easily without added strain.

If you have questions about the best shoes for your feet, or if you’d like to discuss heel spur treatment options with our Indianapolis and Carmel, IN, foot doctor Dr. Agricola, call Prestige Podiatry today at (317) 846-4111 or (317) 881-0070.